Candice Patricia Bergen, born on May 9, 1946, is an American thespian, producer, and former fashion model. She commenced her career as a model, gracing numerous Vogue covers during the 1960s, before transitioning into acting with her debut in The Group (1966). Bergen received nominations for the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Starting Over (1979) and a BAFTA nomination for Gandhi (1982).
Bergen gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Murphy Brown (1988–1998, 2018), a character that garnered her five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe accolades. She also acted as Shirley Schmidt on Boston Legal (2005–2008) and featured in series such as Sex and the City. Bergen has authored two memoirs, Knock Wood (1984) and A Fine Romance (2015), in addition to hosting Exhale with Candice Bergen on Oxygen.
Here’s a brief overview of significant details regarding Candice Bergen:
| Full Name | Candice Patricia Bergen |
| Date of Birth | May 9, 1946 |
| Age (as of January 2026) | 79 years old |
| Height | Roughly 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) |
| Daughter | Chloé Françoise Malle (born November 1985) |
| Net Worth (2026 estimate) | Approximately $80–$100 million (from acting, modeling, memoirs, residuals, investments, and family estate) |
| Most Renowned Roles | Murphy Brown (Murphy Brown), Shirley Schmidt (Boston Legal), Kathy Morningside (Miss Congeniality) |
Candice Bergen: Biography
Candice Patricia Bergen was delivered on May 9, 1946, at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Frances Bergen (née Westerman), was a Powers model known in the industry as Frances Westcott. Her father, Edgar Bergen, was a celebrated ventriloquist, comedian, and actor famed for his puppet, Charlie McCarthy. Bergen’s paternal grandparents emigrated from Sweden and anglicized their surname from Berggren (“mountain branch”). She was raised in Beverly Hills and attended the Westlake School for Girls. As a young girl, she was frequently introduced as “Charlie McCarthy’s little sister,” which annoyed her. She featured on her father’s radio show early in her life and, at the age of 11, was a guest alongside him on Groucho Marx’s You Bet Your Life in 1958. She aspired to be a clothing designer.
Bergen enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was crowned Homecoming Queen and Miss University. She later remarked that she did not approach her academics with seriousness and flunked two classes, art and opera, leading to her departure after her sophomore year. In 1992, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Penn. Prior to her acting career, Bergen worked as a fashion model and appeared on the covers of Vogue. She also trained at HB Studio in New York City.
More…
Bergen made her film debut in Sidney Lumet’s The Group (1966), portraying a college student. She exited college to pursue acting and starred in The Sand Pebbles (1966) alongside Steve McQueen. Some of her early cinematic works include The Day the Fish Came Out (1967), Live for Life (1967), The Magus (1968), The Adventurers (1970), Getting Straight (1970), Soldier Blue (1970), Carnal Knowledge (1971), The Hunting Party (1971), T.R. Baskin (1971), 11 Harrowhouse (1974), Bite the Bullet (1975), The Wind and the Lion (1975), The Domino Principle (1977), A Night Full of Rain (1978), Oliver’s Story (1978), Starting Over (1979), Rich and Famous (1981), and Gandhi (1982). She earned commendable reviews for Carnal Knowledge and was nominated for an Oscar for Starting Over.
Bergen made her Broadway debut in Hurlyburly (1984) and later participated in revivals of The Best Man (2012) and Love Letters (2014). On television, she guest-starred on Seinfeld (as herself), Law & Order, Family Guy, Will & Grace, and more. She portrayed Enid Frick on Sex and the City (2002–2004), returned for the 2008 film, and appeared once more in And Just Like That… (2023–present).
Bergen’s most renowned role was Murphy Brown (1988–1998, 2018), which earned her five Emmys and two Golden Globes. The show tackled social issues such as single motherhood and breast cancer. In 1992, Vice President Dan Quayle criticized the character’s choice to have a child alone, which spurred a response within the series’ narrative. Bergen later expressed agreement with some of Quayle’s views regarding fathers.
From 2005–2008, she portrayed Shirley Schmidt on Boston Legal, receiving two Emmy nominations. Other cinematic performances include Miss Congeniality (2000), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), The Women (2008), Bride Wars (2009), Book Club (2018), and Let Them All Talk (2020).
Bergen has engaged in political activism, supporting George McGovern in 1972 and participating in a 1967 Yippie prank at the New York Stock Exchange. She hosted Exhale with Candice Bergen on Oxygen (2000s) and has penned two memoirs. Since 2016, she has been painting handbags, with earnings benefiting charitable causes, under the mentorship of her daughter, Chloé Malle.
Age
Candice Bergen was born on May 9, 1946. As of January 2026, she is 79 years old.
Update
At the age of 79, Candice Bergen continues to be active and highly regarded:
- Her daughter, Chloé Malle, was appointed editor-in-chief of Vogue on September 1, 2025, selected by Anna Wintour after nearly forty years in the position. Bergen has expressed pride in Chloé’s accomplishment.
- Bergen persists in painting handbags with paint pens, a pastime she initiated in 2016. The sales contribute to charity, and her daughter oversees the operations.
- Recently, Bergen has made recurring guest appearances as Enid Frick on And Just Like That… (2023–present).
- Viewers can enjoy her classic performances from Murphy Brown and Boston Legal on Max, Hulu, and various other streaming services.
- As of late 2025 or early 2026, no significant new film or television projects have been disclosed. Her second husband, Marshall Rose, passed away from Parkinson’s disease on February 15, 2025.
- Bergen occasionally speaks publicly about aging, her family, her father’s legacy, and her transition from modeling to acting.
Daughter
Candice Bergen’s sole child is her daughter, Chloé Françoise Malle, born in November 1985. Chloé’s father was Bergen’s first husband, French film director Louis Malle, who succumbed to cancer in 1995. Chloé was raised in a creative environment and pursued careers in journalism and fashion. She joined Vogue in 2011, advanced to editorial head, and was appointed editor-in-chief on September 1, 2025, by Anna Wintour. Bergen has spoken fondly about Chloé’s successes and their close relationship. Chloé is married and has children. Bergen has no additional offspring.
Movies and TV Shows
Candice Bergen has featured in a multitude of films and television projects over the last sixty years. Here are some notable entries:
Movies
- The Group (1966) – debut role
- The Sand Pebbles (1966) – alongside Steve McQueen
- Carnal Knowledge (1971) – praised reviews
- Starting Over (1979) – Oscar-nominated supporting performance
- Rich and Famous (1981) – leading role
- Gandhi (1982) – Margaret Bourke-White; BAFTA nomination
- Miss Congeniality (2000) – Kathy Morningside
- Sweet Home Alabama (2002) – mayor
- The Women (2008)
- Bride Wars (2009) – wedding planner Marion St. Claire
- Book Club (2018)
- Let Them All Talk (2020)
TV Shows
- Murphy Brown (1988–1998, 2018) – title character; 5 Emmys, 2 Golden Globes
- Boston Legal (2005–2008) – Shirley Schmidt; 2 Emmy nominations
- Sex and the City (2002–2004) – Enid Frick
- And Just Like That… (2023–present) – Enid Frick
- House (2010–2011) – Arlene Cuddy
- Exhale with Candice Bergen (Oxygen talk show, 2000s) – host
Bergen has also guest-starred on Seinfeld (as Murphy Brown), Law & Order, Family Guy, Will & Grace, and several other series. She was the first woman to host Saturday Night Live multiple times and featured in numerous specials.
Net Worth
As of January 2026, Candice Bergen’s estimated net worth ranges between $80 and $100 million (USD).
